Making it easy to be more sustainable in Mullingar
Our news feeds are often flooded with distressing stories about the climate crisis, threats to biodiversity, and the relentless tide of plastic pollution, leaving many of us feeling powerless. However, as residents of Mullingar, we can make a difference! Here are five practical steps you can take to contribute to a greener future while supporting local businesses right here in our town.
1. Ditch plastic packaging
Everything we buy in the shops these days seems to come with a ridiculous amount of plastic packaging, which ends up in our bins. Then we have to pay a waste company to take our bins away, so we end up paying on the double. In many cases, loose fruit and vegetables cost significantly less than pre-packaged items and you get to select which ones you want, leading to less food waste.
According to the EPA, only 28 percent of plastic packaging waste was recycled in 2021, well below the EU target of 50 percent by 2025, so we have a long way to go. The majority of Ireland’s plastic packaging waste is being incinerated. Ireland’s overall recycling rate fell from 62 percent in 2020 to 58 percent in 2021 and it has to reach 65 percent in 2025.
Two shops in Mullingar, Nuts & Grains and The Refill Mill, offer a refill service for common household detergents such as washing up liquid, laundry detergent and fabric softener. It’s simple: you bring your empty bottles into either of those shops and you’re only charged for the amount of liquid you buy, not for the plastic bottle that it comes in. So you’ll only ever have to have one bottle that you can reuse again and again. In addition, the detergents are also more environmentally friendly and are certified as such.
As well as detergents, The Refill Mill also offers a wide range of other refillable goods, such as dried foods, personal care items, and pantry staples. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers and refill them with products, cutting down on single-use plastics and packaging waste.
2. Switch from diesel to HVO fuel
While electric cars are undoubtedly the future and sales of EVs are on the rise in Mullingar, for many people, buying an electric car may not be an option right now. But there are other ways of reducing your carbon emissions from driving. One of the most impactful changes you can make is switching from traditional diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel. HVO is a renewable diesel alternative derived from waste vegetable oils and animal fats, offering a cleaner combustion process and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.
There is currently only one supplier on HVO in Mullingar, Flynn Fuels at The Downs. By making the switch, you can lower your carbon footprint without having to invest in a new vehicle. And what makes switching so easy is that there is no conversion or adjustment of your engine required. We are lucky to have HVO for cars available in Mullingar as there are few car pumps available outside of the main cities just yet. Contact Flynn Fuels for more details.
3. Leave parts of your garden uncut
If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you can contribute to local biodiversity by leaving parts of your garden uncut. Allowing wildflowers and native grasses to grow creates a habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are essential for a healthy ecosystem.
The ‘No Mow May’ initiative was a great starting point, but extending the practice throughout the summer can have lasting benefits. By letting nature take its course in certain garden areas, you can support wildlife, reduce the need for lawn maintenance, and create beautiful, natural spaces.
4. Cycle more and drive less
Many of the car journeys we make can be easily replaced by cycling. Mullingar is the only town in Ireland with two greenways – the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail. Replacing short car journeys with cycling not only benefits the environment, it also improves physical health and wellbeing. Cycling produces zero emissions and is a highly efficient mode of transportation for commuting to work or school, and for popping in and out of town.
Westmeath County Council has been investing in cycling infrastructure as well as making bikes available throughout the town for anyone to use, making it safer and more convenient for everyone to choose this eco-friendly mode of transport. Bike lanes, cycle paths, and secure parking facilities encourage more people to hop on their bikes.
5. Supporting local and sustainable products
Buying local supports the local economy and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods over long distances. Mullingar has many locally owned small businesses and you can feel good about spending your money in our local economy, supporting local jobs.
Locally produced food in particular can greatly reduce the carbon footprint of your weekly shop. Locally grown vegetables are available in a selection of Mullingar stores including Fox’s, Nuts & Grains, Buckley’s SuperValu, Hughes’s Eurospar and others. When buying fruit and veg in the supermarket, check the labels and try to buy Irish-grown where possible, supporting our farmers and reducing food miles.
Sustainability is not just a global issue; it starts at home. By making small changes in our everyday lives, we can collectively make a big impact. From switching to renewable fuels and shopping at refillable stores to supporting local biodiversity and food systems, we have numerous opportunities in Mullingar to lead by example and create a greener, more sustainable community. Embracing these practices not only benefits the environment but also enhances the quality of life for current and future generations.
If you want to know more about how you can make a change locally and learn about some local renewable energy initiatives, you can find information on the Mullingar Sustainable Energy Community website at www.mullingarsec.ie.